Musical titans Bill Anderson, Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown & James "JT" Taylor p/k/a "Kool & The Gang," Steve Dorff, Jermaine Dupri, Alan Jackson, John Mellencamp and Allee Willis will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization's 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. These songwriters wrote mega-hits such as, "Mama Sang a Song," "Celebration," "Through The Years," "Always Be My Baby," "Chattahoochee," "Jack And Diane" and "I'll Be There For You." The star-studded induction event is slated for Thursday, June 14 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.
"The 2018 roster of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees is a prodigious representation of creators of cross-genre hits, certain to resonate with everyone," said SHOF co-chairs Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff and president/CEO Linda Moran. "Each year, the slate of songwriters we induct is more diverse and illustrative of the history and contributions that we strive to acknowledge and honor. We could not be more excited to preside over this year's event and to give these songwriters their due respect."
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) serves as a vital bridge between music's past and future. In the Hall, musical pioneers are enshrined and celebrated, while the organization's outreach to the music community grooms the next generation of troubadours. To qualify for induction, a songwriter must be a published writer for a minimum of 20 years with a notable catalog of hit songs.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates songwriters, educates the public with regard to their achievements and produces a spectrum of professional programs devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. The list of inductees includes Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins and many others.
Full biographies and a complete list of inductees are available on the Songwriters Hall of Fame website at songhall.org.
